Trolley Troubles
"The First Adventure of the Lucky Rabbit!"
Plot
Oswald the Lucky Rabbit serves as a trolley conductor, attempting to transport a group of rowdy bunny children and other animal passengers across a treacherous track. His journey is immediately halted by a stubborn cow standing on the rails, forcing Oswald to find a creative way to drive the trolley directly underneath her. The challenges escalate when the trolley reaches a steep hill that it cannot climb, requiring Oswald to use a goat to push the vehicle to the summit. Once over the peak, the trolley accelerates into a wild, out-of-control descent that tosses the passengers around and threatens a catastrophic crash. In a moment of desperation, Oswald removes his own left foot, kisses it for luck, and prays for survival before the trolley eventually plunges into a river and transforms into a makeshift raft.
Director
About the Production
Produced during the summer of 1927, 'Trolley Troubles' was actually the second Oswald cartoon produced but the first to be released. The first produced short, 'Poor Papa,' was rejected by Universal executives who felt Oswald looked too old and fat. In response, Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks redesigned the character to be younger, neater, and more energetic. The production was a high-pressure endeavor, as Disney was contracted to deliver a new cartoon every two weeks. This film marked the official launch of the Oswald the Lucky Rabbit series, which would eventually lead to the creation of Mickey Mouse after Disney lost the rights to the character in a contract dispute with producer Charles Mintz.
Historical Background
In 1927, the animation industry was dominated by characters like Felix the Cat and Koko the Clown. Universal Pictures founder Carl Laemmle wanted a rabbit character to compete in the market, leading to the collaboration with Disney. This was the era of silent cinema, where cartoons were shown as 'added attractions' before feature films. The success of 'Trolley Troubles' allowed the Disney brothers to expand their staff to nearly twenty people and invest in land and oil ventures, providing the financial foundation for what would eventually become the Disney empire.
Why This Film Matters
As the first released Oswald cartoon, 'Trolley Troubles' is the direct ancestor of Mickey Mouse. When Disney lost the rights to Oswald in 1928, he used the lessons learned from this series to create Mickey. The film's success proved that Disney could create a character-driven series that rivaled the biggest stars of the time. It also established many of the tropes of early American animation, such as the use of anthropomorphic objects and surreal physical gags.
Making Of
The creation of 'Trolley Troubles' was a pivotal moment for the fledgling Walt Disney Studio. After the 'Alice Comedies' began to lose popularity, Disney and Ub Iwerks needed a fresh hit. When Universal rejected the first Oswald short, 'Poor Papa,' Disney had to pivot quickly, refining the character's design to be more 'Chaplinesque'—younger and more mischievous. Animator Friz Freleng recalled that when he asked Walt how to animate the scene where Oswald rubs his foot for luck, Disney dismissively told him, 'Oh, you know what to do,' which Freleng interpreted as Walt himself not being entirely sure but trusting his team to innovate. The studio was divided into two units to maintain the grueling bi-weekly release schedule, with one unit led by Iwerks and Freleng, and the other by Hugh Harman and Ham Hamilton.
Visual Style
While a 2D animated short, the film utilizes 'cinematic' techniques such as varying perspectives. It features a notable sequence where the camera adopts the point-of-view of the trolley as it speeds down the tracks, creating a sense of depth and motion that was rare in animation at the time. The use of 'speed lines' and exaggerated perspective during the hill descent helped convey a sense of extreme velocity.
Innovations
The film is noted for its early use of 'squash and stretch'—the trolley itself widens and thins as it moves over bumpy tracks. It also experimented with 'multi-plane' effects by having different layers of background move at different speeds to simulate depth during the trolley ride.
Music
Originally released as a silent film, it was accompanied by live piano or organ music in theaters. The 1931 re-release featured a score by James Dietrich. The 2007 DVD restoration features a new orchestral score by Robert Israel, while the 2023 Disney+ restoration features a period-accurate musical accompaniment.
Famous Quotes
None (Silent film with minimal intertitles; the humor is entirely visual)
Memorable Scenes
- The 'Cow Gap' scene: Oswald encounters a stubborn cow and, unable to move her, drives the trolley directly through the gap between her legs.
- The Hill Climb: Oswald hitches a goat to the front of the trolley to provide the extra power needed to reach the summit of a near-vertical hill.
- The Lucky Foot: In the midst of the runaway descent, Oswald pulls off his own leg, kisses it, and rubs it on his head for good luck.
Did You Know?
- This is the official debut of Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, though it was the second film produced in the series.
- The character's name 'Oswald' was reportedly chosen by drawing names out of a hat at the Universal publicity office.
- Oswald wears pants and a single suspender in this short, a design element that was largely dropped in later Disney-produced shorts.
- The gag of Oswald removing his foot for luck became a recurring trait in the series, appearing again in 'Oh Teacher' (1927).
- The film was inspired by the popular 'Toonerville Trolley' comic strip by Fontaine Fox.
- Friz Freleng, who later became a legendary director at Warner Bros., was an animator on this short and struggled with how to stage the foot-rubbing scene.
- The short was re-released with a synchronized soundtrack and sound effects on November 23, 1931.
- The copyright for the film expired on January 1, 1955, placing it in the public domain.
- In 2023, Disney released a 4K restored version of the film on Disney+ to celebrate the company's 100th anniversary.
- The trolley sequence includes early examples of 'squash and stretch' animation as the vehicle reacts to the bumpy tracks.
What Critics Said
Upon its release, the film received glowing reviews from the trade press. 'Motion Picture World' claimed the series had accomplished the 'astounding feat of jumping into first-run favor overnight.' Modern critics praise the film for its technical ambition, particularly the 'first-person' perspective shots of the trolley tracks and the isometric views during the high-speed chase, which were considered revolutionary for 1927 animation.
What Audiences Thought
Audiences in 1927 embraced Oswald immediately, making him a 'true hero' of the silent screen. The character's luck-based gags and expressive personality resonated with viewers, leading to a massive demand for Oswald merchandise, including the first-ever licensed Disney character products like candy bars and stencil sets.
Awards & Recognition
- National Film Registry (Selected for preservation in 2007 as part of the Oswald collection)
Film Connections
Influenced By
- The Toonerville Trolley (1920 short)
- Toonerville Folks (comic strip)
- Charlie Chaplin (character personality)
- Felix the Cat (animation style)
This Film Influenced
- Steamboat Willie (1928)
- Mickey's Choo-Choo (1929)
- Smile, Darn Ya, Smile! (1931)
- Buddy's Trolley Troubles (1934)
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Film Restoration
The film is well-preserved. It was famously restored from original nitrate elements for the 'Walt Disney Treasures' DVD set in 2007 and underwent a full 4K digital restoration in 2023.